The Next Gen ATP Finals titlist from South Korea continued his surprise run into the quarter-finals when he beat the six-time former champion 7-6 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (3).

Six time Australian Open titlist advanced past no.21 seed Albert Ramos-Viñolas 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena on Saturday to reach the fourth round for the 11th time.

Novak survived a scorching Melbourne summer’s day and an early challenge from Gael Monfils on Thursday to reach the Australian Open third round. The 30-year-old Serbian star rallied from a set down to beat the Frenchman 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

Novak marked his return to competitive play on Tuesday afternoon with an impressive display of power tennis and excellent movement. Competing for the first time since Wimbledon 2017, Djokovic moved past Donald Young 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 52 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.

Novak, a record six–time AO titlist, is set to play in his first tour event after Wimbledon last summer. The 30-year-old Serbian star is no.14 seed and will open campaign against world no.63 Donald Young (USA). It will be their third career meeting (2-0 H2H).

"I'm smilling, inside and outside. I just love this sport so much," the 12-time Grand Slam champion said. “I was waiting for this moment for six months to get out on the court and play a match. I got a great opponent today, the No. 5 in the world, so it was a fantastic test for me to see where I am. So glad to be back and so nice to start in a country and a city where I have the greatest memories.”

The best Serbian tennis player will not defend his Qatar ExxonMobil Open title. Novak has pulled out of January's Australian Open warm-up event in Doha, as the situation with his elbow has not changed for better since yesterday when he was forced to withdraw from Abu Dhabi exhibition.

Novak has withdrawn from the Mubadala WTC exhibition event due to pain in his right elbow. The Serbian star was scheduled to return to tennis on Friday, December 29, after being out of the game for nearly six months.

Tomas Berdych is into the last four at The Championships after Novak retired with an elbow injury early in the second set.

Three-time former champion beat Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to move into his ninth Wimbledon quarter-final.